Invoking The “Matchbox 20 Rule”

We continue to be impressed with the hip and increasingly headstrong approach to politics embodied by S.C. Rep. Nathan Ballentine.

Seriously, people, what other state lawmaker sprinkles his dead-on common sense political commentary with ’70’s game show pics and Matchbox 20 clips?

And other than S.C. Rep. Nikki Haley, what other lawmaker has shown the stones to stand up to a corrupt, vindictive and increasingly “un-Republican” GOP majority in Columbia? A petty little clique which has bankrupted this state by growing government at the expense of our economy and which now wants to put government in total control over economic development?

So, with House Speaker Bobby Harrell and his left-wing, status quo fluffers running the show and squashing sensible reforms (and independent thinkers) at the S.C. State House like it was Tiannemen Square, how in the hell does a lowly third-term lawmaker summon the courage to do what Ballentine is currently doing on his popular blog, Nathan’s News?

No kidding – here’s a dorky insurance salesman who should probably be swimming alongside all the rest of the lemmings in Columbia’s big government stream, sitting on his hands and waiting in line to get some committee assignment that makes him important to the special interest lobbyists.

Yet for some reason, Ballentine has decided to say “damn the torpedoes” and go full speed ahead in support of what he believes.

On his latest post, Ballentine takes the Matchbox 20 song “How Far We’ve Come” and juxtaposes it with how far South Carolina hasn’t come.

From Nathan’s News:

We’ve seen government spending grow a lot in the past few years, will this year be different?

We’ve seen officials tossed out of office for not listening to their constituents, will this year be different?

We’ve seen a growing distrust among people and their officials, will this year be different?

We’ve seen Republicans forgetting what being a Republican is about, will this year be different?

We’ve seen the House/Senate/Governor constantly point fingers, will this year be different?

We’ve seen those that speak up against the “status-quo” always face retribution, will this year be different?

We’ve seen freshman officials come to Columbia on promises they start forgetting, will this year be different?

We’ve seen SC unemployment reach a 25 year high, will this year be different?

We’ve seen School-Choice debates (public AND private) defeated, will this year be different?

We’ve seen Cigarette Tax plans continually defeated, will this year be different?

We’ve seen companies choose other states over SC, will this year be different?

I could go on but basically, WILL THIS YEAR BE DIFFERENT?

Nice.

Not only do we agree with almost everything on Ballentine’s list, but the way he and Haley have become the first lawmakers to truly stand up publicly against Harrell’s machine is downright inspiring.

Other “GOP” lawmakers – like Kenny Bingham, Alan Clemmons and Annette Young – scurry to and fro delivering Harrell’s big government missives (and making sure his shoes are shined and his dry cleaning isn’t over-starched).

Then there’s the “Joan Brady Caucus,” which was never Republican or conservative to begin with.

Then there’s another group of “Republicans” – like outgoing majority leader Jimmy Merrill – who like to talk a big game about how conservative they are, but who run for cover the moment standing up for conservative principles puts them in a precarious position personally.

Finally, you’ve got the “silent majority,” those who hate Harrell and the RINO agenda he’s pushing but cower in fear that they won’t get named to this or that legislative committee.

In contrast to these various shades of yellow, Nathan and Nikki are saying “enough is enough.”

In fact, in an e-mail sent to her supporters last night, Haley explained why she has been willing to incur the wrath of the GOP leadership in support of a transparency bill, one which will force the House to vote on the record …

In addition to (a) promise I made myself to always stand up for what I believe in, I know that this battle has absolutely nothing to do with me – and everything to do with a State House culture whose ringleaders don’t want you to know how they conduct your business and spend your money.

Haley just hit the nail on the head … the reason we don’t have conservative government in South Carolina is that our Republican leadership not only isn’t fiscally responsible, they hide their votes … and on top of that they endeavor to destroy anyone who dares to bring their record of waste, ineffeciency and excess out into the open.

Pay attention, House Members. The vast majority of you were elected by people who want precisely the same sort of approach to government that Ballentine and Haley are advocating for.

A line in the sand has been drawn … now it’s time to find out which side of that line everybody comes down on.

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